Be it national duty or playing for Mumbai, pace bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur’s approach remains the same. Just a week ago, Thakur shouldered responsibility in tough conditions to score 51 and 119 against Jammu & Kashmir. And on Thursday, at the same MCA-BKC ground, he claimed a hat-trick to reduce Meghalaya to 2 for 6 within the first four overs of the opening day of the Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy game.

Meghalaya were eventually bundled out for 86 in just 24.3 overs. In reply, Mumbai were 213-2 at stumps on Day One. Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first in a crucial must-win league game and the experienced Thakur didn’t disappoint the skipper.